Tokyo Fall Leaf Viewing Guide: Inokashira Park

Is there anything more pleasant than visiting a park to see the fall leaves in Tokyo? This time, let's visit a park that locals often go to: Inokashira Park. It is said to be a popular spot for fall leaf viewing! 📍Address: 1 Chome-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0005, Japan 🚗Transportation: Take the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line or Chuo Line to Kichijoji Station, then walk for 12 minutes. 🕙Opening hours: All day 💰Admission: Free 🌟Highlights: Inokashira Park is located in the Kichijoji neighborhood, which is one of the most desirable places to live in Japan. There are more local tourists than foreign tourists here. It was once a royal property of the Japanese imperial family and was not opened to the public until 1917. That's why it is called "Inokashira Park" (meaning "Gift Park"). It is also the first suburban park in Japan! Like other parks in Tokyo, it is a famous spot for cherry blossom and fall leaf viewing. Now is the fall leaf season, so there are more tourists. It is also a popular dating spot for couples! 📌Tips: ✅On a sunny day, it is great to sit on a bench and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. It is worth mentioning that the benches here are all donated by local residents, and each bench has a meaningful message written on the back. ✅Inokashira Park is on the way to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, so it is recommended to visit both places on the same day. Note that you need to make a reservation in advance to enter the Ghibli Museum! ✅One of the must-do activities here is boating! It costs about JPY 400–800 for half an hour. The swan boats are great for photos, but the space inside is really small, so it is recommended to choose a larger boat. ✅In addition, the park is home to Benzaiten, also known as the goddess of performing arts. It is said that many artists come here to pray for popularity, so you might even meet a celebrity! ✅It is also the filming location for many famous TV dramas. There is a shallow creek in the depths of the park, where you can play in the water when it is hot. It is so much fun!